Fyne Times Gay and Lesbian Magazine, UK

Historical Blackout?

Black History Month runs throughout October. Fyne’s Adrian Gillan asks black LGBTs active in the community about any ongoing suppression of black LGBT culture and history.

Simon Nelson,

Race Equality Lead, South West Regional Equality Unit – www.equalitysouthwest.org.uk

The late black gay civil rights campaigner and advisor to Martin Luther King, Bayard Rustin, is probably the single black LGBT person I most admire from history. Whilst black history has largely overlooked his contribution - due in part to his sexuality, which he was always open about- would there have been a race equality movement at all without him? His dedication for freedom and equality remains an inspiration, especially as I am constantly reminded of the struggles for acceptance we face today.

I think there has been, and still remains, a reluctance from local organisers of Black History Month to include black LGBT people, both past and present, in their programmes and listings. So long as the black media look at LGBT issues in a negative, or non-affirmative light, there will always be resistance to our inclusion - despite our historic contribution to race equality and justice. The lack of discourse per se is for me the single most important reason for this resistance. If we objectively review the black press there remains a negative response to anything to do with being LGBT. It could well be catch 22 - where journalists are fearful of writing anything positive about being black and LGBT for fear of being labelled – or, as I suspect, it is more the political culture of the black media with its grounding and support
from religious establishments that hinders debate.

The single most effective tool for fighting this resistance is to change the culture of the black media through positive editorial coverage. There has been some improvement over the years. However, just as we have acknowledged institutional racism, we have yet to measure the level of institutional homophobia, not least in black ranks - something that should be monitored and exposed in just the same way. The fact that there are more and more openly out black LGBT people in society will force the issue. However, we need better support for - and organisation amongst -
black LGBTs themselves. I’m not irritated by the ghetto mentality that leaves black LGBT issues often confined in some quarters of the media - black and gay - to just Black History Month, LGBT History Month, or around things like HIV and health or gay hay lyrics. More important for me is ensuring support, both financial and emotional, for those black LGBTs who want to contribute, whether from a gay or black perspective.

There will be many events across the UK celebrating Black History Month. Try to find out from local organisers if there is anything specific for black LGBTs. If not, then ask why; and maybe even suggest something yourself.

On a positive note, look out for listings from the various black LGBT websites, as there often are events - small but nevertheless inspirational. Black History Month should be an opportunity for all people to acknowledge and learn from the past in order to move forward. To be in constant denial of the contribution of black LGBTs means I will always challenge the validity of any so-called History Month. Likewise, it is doubtful whether LGBT History Month truly embraces the contribution of non-white LGBT people either; or whether, in fact, it merely provides a “bolt on” that ticks a few boxes, and soothes the odd conscience, once a year.

Curtis Gordon

Events Host, Circa – www.circa-club.com

Writer James Baldwin is the single black LGBT person I most admire from
history. Most of his work deals with racial and sexual issues in the mid-20th Century United States. His novels are notable for the personal way in which they explore questions of identity - as well as for the way in which they examine complex social and psychological pressures related to being black and bisexual. There is no single reason for the mainstream black resistance to LGBT heritage. Undoubtedly, it is a clear combination of issues and prejudices – not least, amongst young black people, the promotion of homophobic dance hall lyrics; and, of course, religion. Coming from a very religious background myself, it was consistently drummed into me that: “Gay is not God’s way”. If a celebrity of the magnitude of a Puff Daddy were to come out as gay; or a Wesley Snipes as a drunk cross-dresser; or a Miss Winfrey as a leather wearing bull-dyke; or a Naomi Campbell as a beautiful bi bitch: any resistance would seriously be diluted overnight. Yet, whilst a few out black stars could be helpful, what we really need is to educate the people. That’s where black LGBT history can help. And, out black LGBTs can and should get more involved in Black and LGBT HistoryMonths themselves - either putting on an event; or at least attending one.

Whilst black LGBT issues do often seem confined to History Months - or around a few sensational issues – I’ve noticed better, more integrated, editorial and pictorial coverage in at least some gay media in recent months.
And, as a host for Circa - the social club for gay professional men - I think LGBTs are thinking less in terms of colour now, and more in terms of individual qualities and achievements.

‘Bo’

BLUK – www.bluk.org.uk

I wouldn’t want to single out just one black LGBT person from history– there are more than you might think and all are heroes in their own, often very different, ways. I have, in fact, found greater reception and openness to LGBTs from the mainstream black community and media recently - perhaps because new UK laws require this: we are now legitimately recognised as couples, and have workplace rights. The single biggest reason for any remaining black resistance to the acceptance of their own LGBT heritage is organised religion; and - related to this - the wholesale metamorphosis
of black cultural spiritual identity into new and recent concepts which our fore-parents did not identify with. This is the biggest downfall of Africa and the Caribbean. Without our own indigenous spiritual heritage intact, we are sharks out of water. Spirituality is always the centre of any society's value system.

The best way to overcome this resistance is simple, though challenging. We must begin the long and arduous road back to our own spirituality, by re-learning - and unlearning. There must be quite a few truly generally known
world-famous still-living black LGBTs – at least one of whom may eventually come out of the closet. And this could only help. The more visible we are, both now and in our heritage, the more we determine change and acceptance. But I don’t know how likely it is! Of course I am irritated that black LGBT issues are often marginalised to just Black, or LGBT, History Month and such. But then again, I can only be irritated with us. Why won't we stand up and be counted? Our invisibility feeds this kind of ignorance. We have to take responsibility for ourselves.

Useful Websites

UKBlackOut serves the UK’s black LGBT community, and contains info about other prominent black LGBTs from history: www.ukblackout.com
Terrence Higgins Trust works to challenge black homophobia and support black LGBTs: www.itstimetoaccept.org.uk
Big Up is GMFA’s black gay men's group: www.metromate.org.uk/amm/gmfa/bigup.phtml
The Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group is an independent group of black gay and bi men of African and Afro-Caribbean descent: www.bgmag.org.uk
Black History Month websites: www.black-historymonth.co.uk, www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Valerie Mason-John

Writer - www.valeriemason-john.co.uk

It's hard to think of many known black LGBT people from history, let
Alone those I especially admire. So I’m naming a black lesbian who died maybe ten or more years ago - Audre Lourde. She was one of the first out black lesbians I came across - her books have helped to save many black lesbian lives. Remember that LGBT History Month in February is still pretty new - not even many LGBT people know much about it, and not much LGBT stuff is programmed during this time. So the expectation for Black History Month organisers to programme black LGBT stuff is quite a high one. Moreover, I think things are changing – media like The Voice have run a few more favourable LGBT articles of late.

So, why mainstream black resistance to the acceptance of its own LGBT heritage? Ignorance, fear and delusion are the main reasons. When people feel these things, they move into aversion; they want to repel, deny and - at worst – even hate. The solution? More information about black LGBT culture, past and present! On the internet there are sites highlighting black figures from history. Things like that are great. We also need more awareness of this in school. Schools celebrate Black History Month; but they need to include us.

Every time someone famous comes out it helps - people talk about it - but then a week later it's forgotten. Coming out is definitely important. But, for me, it's more important that the average Dwayne or Dionne comes out - so that our sexuality is seen as ordinary rather than something only stars do.

Black LGBTs can get involved in Black History Month just by being out and proud - educating our brother and sisters, and nephews and nieces, about ourselves and our present and past reality. For those of us who are out, our sexuality is lived every day we breathe. Whilst Black and LGBT History Months - or Black Pride - are our parties and birthdays, we should never be confined to a mere month or day. The struggle for black history to register on the horizon of LGBT History Month boils down to racism. We bring racism into gay culture, so the struggles we have in the rest of the world will naturally merely be replicated.

Robert Taylor

Photographer – www.taylor-photo.co.uk

I really admire writer James Baldwin, who died in 1987. He was highly intelligent with a strong gay identity yet a universally powerful message. I’m not sure whether or not Black History Month organizers are becoming more enlightened; but the single biggest reason for any mainstream black resistance to the acceptance of black LGBT heritage is ignorance and a lack of information. And the solution is for everyone – not least black LGBTs themselves - to employ more energy, resources and creativity in getting our stories told. I think acceptance of living black LGBTs will come first before acceptance of those from the past. Having the first truly world-famous still-living black LGBT person come out of the closet might help change some attitudes, although it may force some prejudices to become even more entrenched.

I’m neither surprised nor too worried that black LGBT issues often seem marginalised. How would a minority within a minority expect the world to be that bothered about them - unless the world felt extremely threatened?

Linda Bellos

Advisor and consultant – www.diversitysolutions.com

I most admire Lorraine Hansberry– an African American writer, out when it was very unsafe to be so. Bold and brave. There was no formal organsition when I launched Black History Month back in October 1987. And it remains an ad hoc arrangement, with people doing what they wish. It has become both more and less inclusive. When it began, it was for people of African-Caribbean and Asian heritage toreflect the history that British culture generally omits. However the term and politics of “Black” and “Asian” have unfortunately crept in, so Black is used to describe people of African heritage. I object because I do not know where on the map Black is; but I can clearly see Asia. However, there are a growing number of events and actives where LGBT is included. Speaking generally, I have not encountered
any more black heterosexual hostility than I have white heterosexual hostility.

The fact that black people are more open about expressing their views should not be confused with those polite white people who do not say what they think - but use their power to marginalise or oppress LGBT people of all races. Many assume that having lots of out black LGBTs, past and present, will drastically change things.The assumption is that we require role models. I do not share this view. Each of us comes out as an individual act of courage. My coming out did not make it easier for the next black woman or man. We each have our own path to take. Black LGBTs can best participate in Black History Month by being involved in local planning and putting on some events themselves.

Andrew Prince

Editor - www.ukblackout.com

I would have to say Claude McKay – the Jamaican poet, novelist and
journalist – is the single black LGBT person I most admire from history. Though it was never mentioned when we were at school in Jamaica, Claude McKay was a gay man. The last of eleven children, he emigrated to the United States, and from there he made his name. Many black organisations and media are not going to approach their LGBT brothers and sisters - we will need to approach them and put our ideas forward. I would also encourage the LGBT section of the black community to organise and promote their own events for

History Months, both Black and LGBT, no matter how small. If the media houses don’t support you, then why not name-and-shame? Black History Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the histories of all black people. If we leave out any part, it’s not a complete history. The church, with its ex-colonial religion, plays a big part in resisting LGBT inclusion - coupled with male machismo and the idea that being LGBT is somehow “foreign” to black culture. When we start to break down these misconceptions, we will be able to make some headway.

The black LGBT community needs to start organising and promoting their own events for both Black and LGBT History Months, honouring the big names in history that we know to have been LGBT. Some of these will cause a bit of controversy - as with Malcolm X - but it seems that only when controversies arise do the mainstream black community enter any kind of dialogue.

UKBlackOut will be putting on an exhibition in mid-October and will be doing film screenings on Ruth Ellis - the oldest ever out lesbian - and two other films: Proteus and Black Aura on an Angel. Having the first truly world-famous, generally-known, still-living black LGBT person come out of the closet would be a positive step, regardless of the fallout afterwards. Because it has never been done, it would be a major thing and I don’t really hold my breath for that scenario too soon.

But we live in hope. It seems that anytime there is something being organised for, or coverage about, the black LGBT community, it’s around health issues or hate lyrics. Irritation is not a strong enough word for how my friends and I often feel about that. The black community is as diverse as any community in the UK. We do the same things as anyone else, albeit in a different way. We are made up of many different sub-cultures and our needs are different, so to lump us all in the same basket with each other is doing us a disservice